We do not own "Sailor Moon" nor any of the characters.

SAILOR MOON ETERNAL

"The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga"

By Haruka Kou

Chapter 6: Bachelor's Only...Please

The sky seems especially dark tonight, Sayer Starr thinks, looking absently out the window of the car, an unusual gloom taking over his regular vibrance.

Why do I feel so…empty? I'm going to what looks like it's going to be a great party, I'm seeing all my friends again, and I know for sure that I've resolved my feelings for Meatball - I'm really truly happy for her. Then why can't I shake this feeling? Closing his eyes, he opens the window, hoping the fresh air will change his mood. As it slides down, the wind caresses his face and he can't help but smile.

"Ally," his lips whisper silently to the rushing breeze, "That's it! That woman makes me crazy! So crazy," her smile still ripples through his mind.

"You alright?" Terry's low voice even lower so no one else can hear, notices his brother's unusual quietness as he drives along.

"Fine, Ter, I'm just fine," Sayer turns to him, a dreamy smile on his face, feeling all the way to his fingertips that something new, something exciting that was on the verge of breaking loose. Suddenly he feels his giddiness returning, stronger in fact than it's been in a long time. I think I'm gonna enjoy this party after all, he smiles to himself.

"So!" He claps his hands, rubbing them together as he turns to the three surprised occupants of its backseat. "Where're you girls going tonight, while we men are busy consoling Darien?" he smiles wickedly. Michelle smiles back, trying to bring herself out of her own sour mood.

"Consoling, eh?" Her eyes laugh as she glances at Robin who was sitting next to her. "Us 'girls' are going out on the town tonight, doing some consoling of our own," she mocks the word.

"I don't know, Robin, sounds a bit risque to me," Sayer teases his brother who merely rolls his eyes. Sayer then addresses the silent 3rd passenger in the back seat.

"You better keep an eye on her, Susie."

As if being pulled from a thousand years away, Susan breaks her long stare out into the darkness.

"Yes," she answers, a little sadly, "Yes, I will," her soul still torn from this night's events, her eyes slowly lift their gaze to the driver of the vehicle, the man putting her soul through such torment.

How long I have waited for you. If only I wasn't… Sadly the realization of her duty sweeps over her. If only…she looks up to find his eyes, his beautiful eyes, fixed on her, in the rear-view mirror, a question being asked silently. Finding herself unable to respond, she tears her eyes away from his.

Terry furrows his eyebrows and as Sayer rattles on and on, Terry's mind drifts away. Why is she avoiding me? I thought we were…I have to talk to her. Tonight. When we get home I have to know what she feels. I know what I feel. I know I love her, Terry smiles at the admission to himself, his dreams of romance finally coming to fruition.

"You're quiet," Michelle whispers to Robin, his gaze fixed down on his folded hands.

"Am I?" Robin answers simply, avoiding her spoken question.

"Don't worry," she leans her head on his shoulder, "Nothing matters, nobody else matters, only you and me," she says with a confidence she doesn't feel at all. Robin looks at the head on his shoulder with uncertainty. Oh, Michelle, what am I supposed to do? Open your mind, I need to talk to you! His silent plea either unheard or ignored, Robin frowns in the untapped silence.

"Please pull up to that restaurant on the left. That's where we're to meet the girls," Susan breaks her silence, her voice all business. The car stops in front of a fancy-looking restaurant. Susan reaches for the car door handle, only to find it magically whisked open for her, Terry's hand extended to help her out. Taking it gingerly she nods politely, with a small 'Thank you', but nothing more. Terry's sweet smile fades as she walks aloofly past him. Suddenly he feels a tug on his arm.

"Hey, guys!" Lita runs up to Susan and Michelle. hugging Terry's unclaimed arm warmly to her. The tall chestnut brown haired girl smiles from ear to ear as she wears a long skirt with a rather high slit up the side. Then, remembering the rest of the little entourage, she sticks her head in the front window of the car.

"Hey! Boys! Have a blast at Andrew's – I mean, Darien's – send-off!" The flustered gal quickly amends her slip of the tongue as she adorably sticks it out with a wink, causing Sayer to smirk.

"Oh, Lita, yes, we'll say hello," Terry smiles down at her, his gaze still following Susan.

"Hey, Lita! Say…'hi' to Meatball for me." Sayer calls with a touch of sentimentality in his melodic voice and Lita gives him a thumbs-up back as her mind vaguely wonders on Alex's whereabouts.

Michelle alone slides elegantly from her seat, giving Robin's arm a squeeze. "Have fun boys," then, raising her eyebrows at Robin, "But not too much."

Andrew glances around the hall he rented for the evening surveying the gathering group of men invited for Darien's bachelor party. Not many really, since most of Darien and my friends from the university are off travelling on summer hiatus, so mostly just the girls' escorts for the wedding could make it. Serena's little brother Sammy wanted to come but…Mrs. Hart put the quash on that pretty quick. I guess she knows bachelor parties are for men only, not young boys, over 18 at least. Melvin and Greg over there just made it, but, Andrew smiles to himself at the recent high school graduates, neither of them look all that comfortable. Oh well. I don't feel all that comfortable myself, but I've decided to leave my troubles behind, if only for tonight.

Looking around, he sees Darien calmly discussing something with Chad and Lita's friend, Ken. He seems like a nice enough chap.

I hope those Three Lights guys get here soon or they'll, um, miss the start of the, um, entertainment. Andrew almost blushes at the thought of what was in store. Then thinking about the three men, he wonders to himself. Of course I had to invite them, being Serena's friends and all, and the escorts of some of the ladies in the wedding party. And there really aren't enough of us here for a good party without three more, but still, I don't know about them. Andrew remembers for some strange reason a certain tall green-eyed young woman at the church wedding rehearsal blushing up at the one she called Terry.

I guess it's them being idols and all, making all the girls go wild, even Lizzie went nuts, a few years back. But seasonal idols are unreliable types I hear, and I just don't want any of our girls to get hurt. Yeah, that must be it. Besides, I don't think Darien liked that Sayer guy too much. As soon as he came in—I don't know—there was something. But what could I do? I had to invite them. Anyway, they must be nice enough guys if they're such good pals with Serena and Lita. I sure hope they didn't get lost. The honey colored haired bachelor party manager AKA 'groom's best buddy' glances at his watch.

"Who're you waiting for Andrew?" Darien comes up to him, "I thought this was all of us."

"Oh, no, I invited those three new guys. Lita figured the more the merrier!" Andrew smiles.

"Oh she did, did she? Good idea," Darien lies with a false smile back. I don't mind the other two, it's just that one…I never did have the opportunity to ask Serena about him. She seems so innocent about it. I didn't want to bring it up if there's nothing there, or was she avoiding me? When he held her, there was something…I don't know. Wel,l this is my bachelor party and I'm going to try to enjoy myself. I'll just steer clear of him, yes that's it. And then there won't be any problems.

"There you guys are!" Andrew's voice rings across the hall as the newcomers walk up to him. When they reach him, Sayer sticks a bottle of champagne out to Darien.

"Here, This is for you, Dar. Figured you already had some but you can never have enough bubbly at a party, can you?" Sayer smiles brightly at the celebratoree.

"Thank you," Darien politely accepts the bottle, looking the man in front of him up and down.

Oh, yes he's an idol all right in his vivid red designer showy clothes and his free and easy demeanor. Could Serena really be interested in a man like this? He finds himself shaking the hand of Sayer's tall companion.

"Congratulations, Mr. Shields." Terry says. Now this one's alright. If it weren't for the ponytail, I wouldn't take him for an idol at all, not with his respectful attitude. "Please, call me Darien, Terry." Darien responds, and Terry smiles. Then he looks down at the 3rd member of the group who was looking back at him—but not at him—a faraway spacey look in his eyes, as if not really present here but reaching out to somewhere else. Then, suddenly noticing Darien, his green eyes come into focus.

"Oh hey, looks like a nice party." Robin's high scratchy voice sounded rather bored.

Don't know what to make of this one. Strange, there's something familiar about him...Darien vaguely thinks in assessment.

"I'm glad you could make it." Andrew deals with the niceties. "Hi, I'm Andrew Collins, I'm the one who called earlier, Michelle said you'd come."

"Thank you for thinking of us, Mr. Collins," Terry nods to Andrew.

He is very polite. I could see Lita liking that, but it could just be a show.

"My name is Terry Starr, and these are my brothers, Sayer and Robin." They exchange nods.

Leading them over to the crowd around the refreshment table, Andrew goes to introduce them to the others.

"Hey, Chad, Greg, Ken, Melvin!" He calls out to get their attention, and they turn around. "This is Terry, Sayer, and Robin, the rest of our party for tonight."

"Cool, dudes." Chad says a bit grumpily nonchalant as he looks down at the little white haired one. Normally he would be excited to meet real rock stars, since he was an aspiring rock star himself, but not ones Rei was attracted to, especially that one whose magazine photogravure was still pasted to her bedroom vanity mirror. (Not that I've been peeping, Rei! I swear I wasn't!)

"Hello," Ken answers politely. "Lita and the other girls have talked so much about you guys. I feel like we're old chums already." Lita's childhood friend was a good one through and through, rain or shine, Ken was reliable and true.

"Oh, hi," Greg's meek little salutation comes out from behind the buffet. Wow, they're so…cool. Noticing their designer suits, Greg looks down at his own sad-looking one. And it wasn't just the slick clothes that made them look so much better either, he sighs at his own sorry form.

No wonder Amy and the others were crawling all over them. Look at me. Oh, Amy, how can I ever compete? He feels the inadequacy even more against the tall, slender one Amy had seemed to be interested in. Sigh. And imagine! They're all about the same age as me, too. sigh.

"Are you guys really those famed singers, the Three Lights, who mysteriously dropped under the radar and disappeared almost two years ago? Or are you some alien shapeshifters in disguised form bent on infiltrating Japan in order to conquer planet Earth?" Melvin Butlers eerily rises up from behind the refreshment table, posing hissuspicious question to the trio as he shifts his eyeglasses furtively on the bridge of his nose.

All three of the other-worldly 'boys' swallow as they stare back at the little guy in degrees of guilt.

"Nice to meet you." After a sociable pause, Terry looks down at the boy with the huge eyeglasses and conspiracy theories galore and chooses to simply smile and ignore the somewhat insightful accusation. (The alien part, not the world conquest stuff)

"So how's the party so far, guys?" Blowing off Melvin, Sayer's happy voice brightens up the whole room, treating them like old buddies already as he wraps an arm each around Chad and Ken.

"Where've you got the good booze hiding, Dar?" He raises his eyebrows conspiratorially in Darien's direction.

"Sayer!" Terry says in shock at his brother's boldness.

"This is supposed to be a bachelor party, right?" Wide-eyed and anything but innocent, he answers back.

"That's what I've been told." The dark haired man of the hour says evenly.

"Sure, we got some prime beers and wine coolers over here." After Darien's cool remark to the vibrant newcomer, Andrew covers with a smile, leading them to a table.

Picking up a beer bottle, Sayer easily twists off the lid.

"Here, Ter," he hands the bottle to his brother.

"Sayer, I don't think you should—" he tries to hand the unwanted item back.

"Ter," Sayer looks so serious, "you only live once. Drink up," he smiles.

"But, Sayer, the Princess says we're not supposed to—" Terry looks at the bottle in his hand with uncertainty, seeing visions of his gentle, level-headed leader in his mind.

"Oh, she wouldn't mind since it's our good friend Darien's special shindig. Rob, catch!" Sayer holds up a can of beer readied to unwisely toss to his other brother, who looks at him in disbelief.

"A beer? You're kidding, right?" Robin snickers, looking disdainfully at the low-class beverage proffered.

"I'll just have one of these, if I must." Finicky digits picks up a more classy wine cooler.

Shrugging his shoulders, Sayer takes a swig of the drink, then eyes Terry, waiting for him to do the same.

"C'mon, Ter," he pushes his more responsible brother. Sighing, knowing Sayer would never give up until he at least tried it, and a bit of curiosity as to what was so special about the drink, Terry gingerly takes a small sip, feeling the cool beverage sliding down his throat.

"It's not bad, at bit similar to cream soda," Terry analyzes. Sayer slaps him on the back hard enough to make the poor guy gag.

"See I knew I'd like it!" He downs some more of his own.

"Hmph," Terry smiles ay Sayer's liveliness, taking another sip from the bottle.

"C'mon, guys!" Sayer calls to Chad, Greg, Ken, and Darien. "Come and get some drinks," he busies himself opening bottles then adds, "before my brothers finish them off," wicked grin from ear to ear at Terry, who shakes his head with a chuckle at Sayer's teasing wild streak. Coming over, Chad and Andrew accept the beers, Ken a wine cooler.

"How about you, uh, Greg, ole pal?" Sayer holds out the two choices in front of Greg, who suddenly looks scared.

"Oh, I uh-um..." Greg stutters under Sayer's tempting gaze. Look, everyone else is having one, I'm almost 18 now, so I'll have one! He takes the beer before him defiantly. For you, Amy, he thinks to himself as he downs it manfully as if taking some kind of poison.

"Oh, yes it can, Greg my fine friend! The demon liquor has brought down many a decent upstanding man, my dear old granny used to say! And the Internet clearly reports: 'Excessive alcohol use has led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost. I wouldn't wish to leave my sweet Molly without my care and attention in trade for a foolish drink's fleeting pleasures, not to mention its ill-causing effects in body and mind afterwards." Pushing up his large swirly glasses to the bridge of his eccentric nose, Melvin's nerdy quote memorization of many online facts and figures causes Sayer's head to start spinning even prior to any alcoholic beverage imbibed.

Sayer turns from Melvin's soapbox rant, offering the wine cooler he just twisted the lid off to Darien instead, who still looks at him coolly, ignoring his amenable gestures.

Looking him directly in the eye with an air of frigid distain, Darien opens up his own bottle of wine cooler.

Sayer smirks inwardly.

He knows. Sayer thinks to himself.

Just then the room darkens. Then a spot of light glows from behind them. Enticing music begins to play. All eyes turn to see some curtains magically pulled away to reveal a tall, slender woman slowly unwrapping herself from a filmy gauze loosely draped about her golden spandex clad body. Swaying in rhythmic movements to her musical accompaniment, she begins to hum. With a flourish she flings the wispy fabric across the room, cascading it over Sayer's head and shoulders He brushes it away, toying with it in his hands, a knowing smiles on his face as he winks at her. The dancer licks her shining red lips and winks back.

Now wearing, by any measure, a skimpy sparkling golden "dress", and much too much makeup, she begins sauntering through towards the group, her low sultry voice singing "Give me a little kiss" with some new more interesting lyrics added. She dances over to each man, running her polished fingers through their hair, or caressing a cheek as she sang making their testosterone levels go through the roof. She slowly makes her way through the song, her platinum blonde hair shining in the darkness, taking her time on Terry and Ken until she reaches Sayer.

Then she breathily finishes her song, runs her hands along his neck and chest, pulls him close to her and whispers, "What's a fox like you gonna waste your time getting married for, huh?" she begins to tug on his tie, loosening it.

"Because I'm not," he answers in the same breathy tones.

"Changed your mind already, Mr. Groom? Is it on account of me?" Her blue eyes go wide in anticipation.

"Sabra, wrong man," Hissing the warning, Andrew's been trying to give her the high sign, as he points to Darien behind his back.

"Oh," she murmurs, though it doesn't seem to phase her much.

"You said black hair and blue eyes. And what girl wouldn't die to marry this handsome fellow?" She moves her finger along Sayer's jawline. Then unwrapping herself from him she turns to Darien, feeling through his hair.

"Oh yes, this is just as gorgeous." Each word stressed as she softly touches his face. "I think I would die to marry you. What's the lucky girl's name?" she whispers blowing on his face.

"Serena," Darien answers, smiling as he rolls his bemused eyes.

"Serena," she says slowly, one syllable at a time, her voice melodic. "Maybe tonight I can make you forget all about her," she plays with buttons on his shirt.

"Not likely," Darien smiles back, not one to be toyed with after all he and Serena have been through together.

"At least let me try," she kisses her fingertips placing them on Darien's lips then she turns and begins to dance again, this time to a faster-paced tune.

As she twirls past Robin, sudden recognition of his singular adorable yet sexy features shows on her face and she pulls him close, her lips almost touching as she blows in his aroused ear.

"Robin Starr!" Michelle whispers in shock, miles away in that fancy restaurant, as she drops her purse to the ground.

"Michelle, what is it?" Serena asks worriedly from across the table, watching her friend's cheeks suddenly flush.

"Oh nothing, nothing," Michelle smiles, leaning down scooping up her fallen handbag, "just wondering how the boys are doing at your fiance's bachelor party," and what exactly, she adds to herself, recalling the strange sensation broadcasted to her from the man she was bonded with.

"Oh, yes, the bachelor party. Did Andrew invite that cute friend of yours, you know, Kenny, Lita?" Mina looks excitedly from one girl to the next, her lavender minidress shimmering.

"Yes," Lita smiles, glad things were working somewhat according to plan in the Mina situation. "I wonder what they're doing," Lita says, interested, her voice sounding distant.

"Up to no good I'm sure," Rei answers sourly in her red & orange dress, imagining crazy Chad probably torturing them, singing.

"Oh, Rei, I'm sure it's not anything like that-do you think it is?" Amy's calming smile suddenly turns into an anxious frown, the mere thought of her innocent Greg at such a function unbearable.

"Of course it's going to be like 'that', Serena's mom wouldn't let Sammy go would she?" Rei stresses the word, lowering her voice as not to arouse attention.

"No, not really!" Lita says in disbelief, "C'mon! Andrew organized it, how could it be like 'that'!"

"Lita, men are men, and all bachelor parties have a bit of 'that'" Michelle answers with a giggle, knowing first-hand that more than a little bit of 'that' was going on—to her own chagrin.

"Guys, guys!" Sweet Serena interrupts, a confused expression on her befuddled face."When you keep saying the word 'that', what exactly do you mean by it?" The look on her face a genuine "Serena" one of a kind. The ladies gathered around her at the table blink at each other slowly and then burst into laughter, making the other guests of the posh restaurant turn and stare.

"Stupid Serena, how could you not know? Aren't you the one getting married tomorrow!" Rei's cutting voice was always the first to snap at the poor girl.

"Yes, but what—" Serena starts to ask again, determined to know what everyone else seemed so excited to talk about.

"Never mind that, Serena, dear, we're here to celebrate your last night as a single woman, not to talk of the men and what they're up to all night." Michelle says, amicably changing the subject, though she's not quite able to push a certain silvery man and his movements out of her own head.

"That's right, Serena! We have important matters to discuss with you before you take "The Big Step". Lita waves her finger at her dearest friend with such a serious face, Serena feels like breaking out laughing.

"That's why we told you to leave Rini at home tonight, there's things we need to talk to you about that we just can't say in front of children," Rei picks up the serious tone of the conversation.

"Oh yes, we're all grown-up, mature women here." Michelle says coyly, teasing, trying to shake the uneasiness as she watches Amy's shy face blush.

"Well, what is it that's so important?" Serena looks a little scared herself.

"It's the burning question on everyone's mind of course," the little showman in Mina puts an even more dramatic air with her words. "Something you're going to know for certain by tomorrow," her eyes serious as she nods gravely, Serena feels her heartbeat racing in anticipation as she hangs on Mina's every word.

"Yes?" she holds her breath, waiting for the all-important question. Sitting next to her, Mina takes Serena by the shoulders, as if bracing her for something mind-numbingly significant.

"Serena," so low and gravely spoken, "what do you think?" Pause, all eyes were transfixed on Mina's performance now, each girl expecting something earth-shaking to be shared.

"Does Darien –" Dramatic pause for effect.

"-wear boxers or briefs?" It all spills out from Mina's mouth quickly, with a wicked grin, her voice going higher.

"Mina!" five girls shout at their star performer in unison.

"Joke! Joke!" Mina giggles as Lita and Rei both jab her from each side, her laughter contagious.

As they all begin to chatter, giggling and smiling about tomorrow and Serena's bright new future, another young woman, who had remained silent the entire evening, looks on. Marveling at their vigor and spirit, she sighs sadly, feeling more distant than ever at times like these, times she could never truly share in, her duty and responsibility always first and foremost in her mind. But never before had she felt so acutely this pain, never before had it hurt so badly, seemed so unfair, never before….he came.

Feeling tears behind her eyes she reaches for her glass of water, trying to hide behind it. Tonight, that kiss we shared-was it only tonight? I have known him forever, for a thousand years I've dreamed of him, of his face, of his voice, of his touch. He has haunted my dreams. Terry. Your very name is like a song on the wind to me. On the wind, because I cannot do this. I cannot feel this. I cannot have you. I am a soldier first, a soldier destined to be alone forever, emptiness my only companion, she chokes on the thoughts, the pain welling up in her eyes again.

Hearing the happy laughter of the bright world outside, she looks up to see the smiling faces of her most beloved friends around her. Going from one to the other until she reaches Lita, her thoughts returning to a scene earlier this evening, a scene where a tall young woman was casually hanging on an even taller young man—a dazzlingly handsome young man with violet eyes and a gentle voice. Putting this scene together with their first meeting in the afternoon,
Susan slowly realizes the situation. Terry and Lita. They're attracted to each other. Gazing across at the pretty young woman so full of life, Susan feels her heart sinking. That's what you need, Terry, someone like her, someone who can be a part of this world, part of your world. Unlike me. My world is driven by destiny, I am forever suspended in time. Her depressing thoughts suddenly interrupted by a soft, sweet voice.

"Susan, are you alright?" the concern in Serena's usually cheery voice even amidst her own celebration in her honor was plain for her elder friend.

Snapping out of her reverie, her secrets her own, she smiles pleasantly, "Of course, my Princess, all is right with the world, you and Prince are to be joined in matrimony, as destiny long ago ordained. I am quite happy."

Not quite believing her, Serena smiles not knowing what to say. This friend is such a mystery, keeping herself to herself. It's always hard to read her feelings. But I am the expert at reading into people's hearts and as plain as anything I can see sorrow in her eyes — sorrow and…something more.

Smiling, Serena decides to let it go, things will work out, I hope. She thinks with a little prayer for her secretive friend.

"So where're Alex and Tara? I thought they were coming." Serena hears Mina ask Michelle bluntly, as Mina always does. Serena watches Michelle's relaxed face suddenly become tense and troubled. What's happened between them?

"Well, they were, but, Tara wasn't feeling well," she covers for the girl, knowing perfectly well that it was a broken heart Tara was nursing. "And Alex, Alex…" Michelle decides to tell them the truth. "We had an argument, and she walked out," she admits looking down, a little guilty but mostly still angry with her friend.

"An argument! You two! No way!" Rei audibly sounds her disbelief.

"Oh, Michelle, what happened?" Amy asks, her high sweet voice concerned.

"It was nothing, really," Michelle tries to make light of it, hiding her own part in the matter. "She's probably back at the house, sulking, and missing all this fun."

"It's about the Three Lights' staying, isn't it?" Lita puts 2 and 2 together, knowing Alex's attitude towards men.

"Well, yes and no," Michelle dodges the question expertly.

"Why wouldn't she want them there! I'd die for them stay with me! But my parents probably wouldn't allow it," she says, under her breath. "They're even more gorgeous now than they were when they left!" Mina explodes in a high-pitched squeal, to Rei, Amy, and Lita's nodding agreement.

"Alex isn't your typical adoring girl though," Rei smirks with a knowing smile. "I don't know how you convinced her to let Sayer escort her tomorrow," Rei turns to Lita in disbelief and awe,

"Especially considering his own attitude problem," Rei herself never did take to Sayer's irresponsible, outgoing nature.

"What's that supposed to mean, Rei!" Serena suddenly pipes up in defense of one of her closest friends.

"Sayer's really very easy to get along with. Caring and generous and kind," Serena's eyes glaze over at the happy memories of their building friendship, "and very, very, VERY sweet," she adds smiling.

But halfway across town the young man in question, at the moment, seemed anything but sweet. In one hand was a half-drunk bottle of champagne, in the other a nearly empty can of beer. For an eighteen-year-old far from home (light years away in fact) he was certainly enjoying Earth's pleasures with vigor. And never one to be left alone, Sayer made sure his friends would share in the fun.

"Here, Ter, have some more," he begins to pour some champagne in his brother's empty glass.

"No, no, Sayer, I think that's enough," Terry's usually calm low voice comes out in a drawl as he sways back and forth unsteadily.

"C'mon, s'good for you," Sayer giggles, a bit tipsy himself as he tries to fill Terry's wavering glass held in front of him – and failing miserably, most of the bubbly spilling to the floor.

"Stop moving, Ter," Sayer scolds.

"I'm not moving," Terry replies, his eyelids so low you'd almost think they were closed.

"Yes, you are," Sayer continues to pour, splashing the liquid on Terry's hands and onto the floor, but not a drop into the wandering glass.

"You're both moving," Robin slowly walks up to them, doing some swaying of his own.

"In fact the whole room is moving," he dangerously looks about to collapse, his own bottle of wine cooler still clutched in his hand.

"What's in this stuff? It's only my first one." Dizzily he tries to focus on the label, blinking his eyes several times. Feeling the effects of the hard alcohol for the first time, Robin finds himself unprepared for the punch it packed. He starts to giggle uncontrollably, pointing at the bottle in his hand, rolling back and forth on his heels.

"What's s'funny?" Sayer looks up from his impossible task of connecting the liquid into the glass when the drink stops running out of the bottle.

"He,he,he,he," Robin can't seem to stop chuckling. Terry inexplicably starts to join in, his unstable hand shaking what little champagne that did manage to get into his glass onto the floor.

"What!" Sayer feels the giggles about to overtake him too, demanding the answer before he gives in.

He points at his wine cooler in between chuckles. "Look, he, he, he. It's written in Japanese, he, he, he," Robin's tolerance for the drink suddenly giving out, he looks at his brothers with a goofy smile and then tips over, falling to the floor with a thud.

Across the miles, Michelle spills her glass of wine, feeling aware of the dizziness taking over her due to her link with Robin.

Still giggling, Terry drops to his knees, a bit too hard, placing his own glass on the floor, he lifts the bottle still clutched in Robin's unconscious hand, caring more for the welfare of the drink it seemed than that of his fallen sibling.

"He's wrong, it is in English," Terry shakily stands up, holding the bottle close to his face. "See, ingredients: water, syrup,carbonate," he sways as he reads off the ingredients, straining his eyes, forgetting that's what his glasses were for.

"…sugar and spice and everything nice," he finishes with a triumphant smile. "Nothing bad," Terry raises his eyebrows.

"Right," Sayer agrees, nothing sounding out of the ordinary (he knowing perfectly well that it was a certain other added ingredient that did ole Rob in, hee, hee).

"Aren't those the same ingredients in something else too?" Sayer asks his brother seriously.

"Hmm," Terry thinks hard, searching his vast knowledge for the answer, turning the "hmm" into a low hum. Unused to not having the answer to nearly any question immediately, he digs deep into his mind. "Sugar and spice and everything nice…" Terry repeats in song, trying to stimulate his brain cells, which seemed out of order.

"Maybe a little more of this'll jog your memory," Sayer scoops up Terry's glass and turns the champagne bottle upside down . Wondering why the liquid wasn't coming out, he lifts the bottle above his head. Closing one eye, he looks into the bottle in search of the missing drink and is obliged with one drop hitting him smack into the eye. Rubbing his eyes, he looks at Terry who was starting to turn that "sugar and spice" thing into a pretty good song, his face still deep in thought over the subject.

"Well you keep trying to figure that out while I go get us some more juice," Sayer wanders off towards the crowd around the drink table.

"I thought it was merely the drinks causing the excitement over here, but I was wrong, it must be you," Sayer says in a low, husky tone to the golden clad lady draped all over Darien near the table.

"There you are, Sexy," she answers in similar tones, "I wondered where you got off to. Why don't you help me convince your friend here to loosen up a little?" Sabra wriggles her fingers on Darien's straight chin. "After all it is his last night as a free man," she flutters her over-sized lashes at him.

"That's right, Dar, I know how we usually stick to 'meatballs' ourselves but other blondes are supposed to be just as nice, especially ones as beautiful as this."

Sabra smiles at the compliment putting her hand on Sayer's cheek.

Taking the obvious reference to Sayer's past relationship to Serena badly, Darien's jealous mind flames. "You're wrong about three things now Sabra," Darien smiles, really aiming his comments at the other man, not her, anger behind his voice, "First, I don't need to 'loosen up'", Sabra's eyebrow's raise at his cold voice, "second, by tomorrow I may no longer be free but at least I won't be alone," he looks at Sayer witht the blatant swipe, " and third," Darien pauses, looking at Sayer pointedly, "We are not friends. He's Serena's friend, not mine." Darien finishes, his anger vented.

"Dar, I'm hurt," Sayer says, but truly not the slightest bit upset, although he does wonder what her could've done to cause this confrontation.

Being a smart cookie, Sabra looks from one man to the other, putting together that there was some kind of jealousy feud going on. "Oh, I get it," Sabra says, looking at Sayer, "You used to go with Darien's girl, hmm, she certainly has a good eye," she fingers Darien, who folds his arms angrily, turning away.

"I wouldn't say we went together," Sayer says, "we just…..became great friends. That's all, really…..Darien," he decides to try to patch up the situation.

"Then why every time your name was mentioned in front of me everyone gets all hushed up?" Darien asks accusingly.

"Well, maybe, maybe, I was a little taken in by her shine, but that was my fault, not hers. You can understand that right?" Sayer leans forward trying to catch Darien's eye, "Besides, most of the time we were together Meatball spent moaning for you. I guess I felt bad. And more than a little angry at you for leaving her behind like that. So I had to take over your job. Maybe in the end I wanted something more…that's what I came here to find out."

"And what did you discover?" Darien feels his own anger slipping away, finding a caring soul behind the idol.

Pause. "That I love her." Sayer slurs nonchalantly, drunkedly watching in glee the reaction on Darien's stalwart face and Sabra's eavesdropping one, who looked like she thought this might come to fists. Sayer laughs.

"Like a brother would love a sister, not like a man loves a woman. Got you going there, didn't I?" he smiles teasingly. For a long moment their eyes lock in a stare until finally Darien smiles back. Sabra smiles too, relieved not to have a fight on her hands.

"You know, Sayer, I think I finally figured out why Serena likes you so much," Darien says as Sayer pours three glasses of champagne out.

"Yeah? Why's that?" Sayer hands Sabra a glass.

"Because you're a total nutbar." Darien smirks.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Sayer smiles, handing Darien a glass of champagne.

"This one isn't spiked, is it? I know what tricks you've been up to tonight." Darien sniffs the liquid in his glass. Sayer just smiles.

"Nah! Let's have a special toast, just for the two of us good buddies." Sayer raises his already tipsy glass in the air.

"To women with blonde hair who live to drive us men crazy. Cheers." He downs the full glass in one huge gulp, a certain short-cropped golden blonde drifting through his mind as it turns fuzzy.

Hearing Sayer's loud and boisterous toast, Ken and Greg look at each other, both smiling dizzily as the intoxication slowly sets in, to Melvin's tongue-clicking chagrin.

"Maybe we go talk to them, huh? This guy's depressing," Ken glances across the table at the golden haired man who's been crying into his beer over some girl who ditched him for the last half an hour. "I don't like depressing people."

"Yeah," Greg feels a strange boldness that he generally shies away from. Maybe this stuff is making a man outta me, he thinks, his head spinning. Anything for you Amy…if I could get you back…he smiles at his alcohol-coated memories.

"Rita, Rita, Rita, that's all we've been hearing about! Let's go find something fun to do," Ken complains not caring that Andrew was sitting right in front of him, but not seeming to hear a word.

"Rita," Andrew moans her name for the thousandth time, sighing as he downs another beer.

"C'mon, Andrew, man, like get over it. We're sick of like, hearing you moanin', man," Chad bounds up to them, a guitar stolen from the band in one hand, a beer in the other.

"Chad, tell me, are all women so heartless that they're break your heart without a thought?" Andrew stops his groaning to ask his friend.

"Fer sure, man. And if you get them mad enough, they might even break a broom over your head," Chad rubs the head that's been the target of Rei's broom so many times.

Ken starts to giggle. "No way, not all women are like that."

"Rei is! I've got the bruises to prove it, man!" Chad brushes his hair aside displaying many black and blue spots. "But I really don't mind," he adds with a smile.

"I don't mean hitting you with a broom, Chad!" Ken shakes his head at this guy's stupidity. "I mean some girls are really great. Take my friend Lita for instance. I know her so well. For sure Lita'd never break some guy's heart. Some girls just don't have it in them."

"Yeah, Amy wouldn't ever do that either! She's too good," Greg throws in, defensively.

"My Molly is the very definition of an angel on Earth. " Melvin adds his adoration drool with a contented sigh. I just wish she was here and not abroad doing work with her mother's very important jewelry exposition

Andrew, even in his drunken stupor, heard Ken's words perfectly clear somehow.

'Lita'd never break some guy's heart,' over and over it rings in his head, the searing image of his beloved Rita slowly merging into a smiling vision of Lita, looking so sweet and kind in her pale green school uniform.

"Maybe you're right," Andrew says, "maybe losing Rita's not the end of the world. Maybe things aren't as bad as they seem," Andrew feels his depression lifting, a hopeful smile on his face as he remembers Lita's compassionate eyes from this afternoon.

"That's more like it, Dude!" Chad babbles, then lifting his guitar in the air, he says, "C'mon, the band's on break and they left all they're instruments behind!"

"But I'm not very musically inclined," Greg looks at the stage warily.

"You don't have to be, man. It's the good karma vibrations that count in music!" Chad says happily, "Just pick something up and start playing," Chad says as they reach the stage of strewn instruments.

Normally, Greg wouldn't touch anything as difficult as an instrument, but tonight, tonight he felt like he could take on the world as he picks up a French horn. "Do you think it's alright?" Greg puts the strange brass horn to his lips, surprised at the warped sound escaping.

"Does anyone see a triangle? I was lead trianglist in middle school band. I was so good I was tapped to play solos all the time. Haven't practiced in a while though, so the trusty old arm may be a little rusty." Melvin offers in his indomitable way to join their little impromptu music unit.

"Yeah, it'll be fun," Ken laughs at the bug-eyed peepers guy. Never having even heard a clarinet, never mind playing one, Ken grabs the funny looking little thing and starts to blow. Feeling some kind of compassion for his new-found friend, he looks to Andrew and points at the vacant keyboard seat.

"Can you play the keyboard?" Andrew shakes his head with a smile.

"Good, neither can I. So we're both newbies." Ken tries his clarinet again, pleased when, an albeit off-key note, comes out.

"C'mon, try it Andrew! You can play harmony to my expert melody. Follow my lead, gang!" Melvin had indeed discovered a triangle in the at-break band's wares, he confidently banging away on the brass instrument with assured pride, Greg giggling as he joins in.

Andrew capitulates. He begins to gingerly bang on the foreign looking keys, laughing with his make-shift band, despite his woes as Chad plays his guitar and starts to sing a drunken tune.

"Rei Oh Rei baby mine! Like the sun! Oh-oh my Rei of light!"

Hearing the sudden outburst of cacophony over the loudspeaker, Sayer, ditching his too warm to wear dinner jacket, takes the opportunity and puts his arm around Sabra's waist.

"We can't waste all this good "music", can we, baby?"

"Let's dance. I'm going to take this lovely lady off your hands, Dar."

"Go right ahead," Darien laughs, now amused by Sayer's antics.

Sayer pulls her somewhat dizzily out onto the dance floor as Sabra ignores the music, setting her own rhythm. As they sway back and forth, she whispers in his ear.

"You're a good dancer, Sa—yer," she rolls his name on her tongue looking like she'd enjoy doing more than that.

"My shift's about up here. Why don't you and I beat this place and find something else to do?" she breathes heavily into his ear.

"Sounds like fun," he smiles wickedly. "You know I'd probably enjoy that too—but…" Sayer looks her in the eye.

"But?" She demands, unaccustomed to being turned down, searching his eyes only to find them dazzled by someone else already.

"Oh," she smiles a bit miffed at the loss but still impressed by this very verile 18-year old man's fortitude. Going back to the slow dance, she smiles, "Is she pretty?"

"Gorgeous," Sayer answers, wishing she was the woman in his arms right now.

"Your friends don't seem to know about you and her," Sabra's been doing some research on him during the evening.

"Nah, they wouldn't. You know what? Neither does she - yet," Sayer smiles.

"Oh, what a nice surprise, I'm sure she'll be happy to hear it." Sabra pouts.

"Happy?" Sayer smiles, "Not too sure of that…I think she'd rather kill me first."

"What? What kind of girl is she?" she says in shock.

"Well, she's…she's…strong...and tough...and not very much like other…" Sayer smiles dreamily in his attempts to describe his rebel Ally.

"GIRLS!" A low voice thunders across the hall as Terry runs up to his brother excitedly. "The answer is girls!" he begins singing his sugar and spice theme again.

"Hey, Sayer. I admire men who prefer 'strong and tough'. There's not many of you out there. So keep that thought, Handsome." Sabra places a finger on Sayer's sighing lips, giving up on her conquest.

She looks at Terry and then asks Sayer," What about him? Is he currently available?" she spots a newly intoxicated prospect. Sayer laughs, pulling his innocent brother away from the claws of the vixen.

"Let's go and join the fun," he tugs a wobbly long-legged Terry towards the blaring "music" coming from the stage. As soon as they get there, like a magnet, Terry is pulled to the saxophone leaning against the keyboard. Music in his blood, and romance on his mind, even in his drunken state (or maybe because of it) Terry plays like a professional saxophonist amazing all the boys around. All except Sayer, he never astonished by his brother's endless capabilities. Sitting at the drum set, he lets go, banging and crashing so deafeningly, if you were outside the building you would swear it was thunder. Darien holds both hands to his painful ears, fully enjoying this bachelor party thrown in his honor, and wishing it was over as he endures with the thought of his future bride's radiant smile in his mind's eye.

And the tune of the makeshift band plays on long into the night…